Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to another blessed day in the house of our Lord. It's always a joy to gather together in His name, to be nourished by His Word, and to grow in our understanding of His unending love for us. Today, we gather to ponder some profound truths that will challenge us, inspire us, and ultimately lead us to a deeper understanding of our spiritual journey.

Charles Spurgeon, a man of great faith and wisdom, once said, "It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." This statement, while simple, carries a profound truth that applies directly to our spiritual lives. Our spiritual growth is not about how much we know, but about how much we apply and live out in our daily lives. It's about the joy we derive from our relationship with God, not the quantity of our religious rituals.

We find guidance on this matter in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, verses 9 to 14:

"9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 'Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 'But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 'I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'"

Let's bow our heads in prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts and minds as we delve into this Scripture.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hearts and minds, ready to receive your Word. We ask for your wisdom and understanding as we consider these important truths about spiritual maturity. Help us to discern between ritual and reality in our spiritual lives, and guide us towards genuine spiritual growth that reflects your love and grace. We pray this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let’s get started!

Defining Spiritual Maturity

When we consider the nature of spiritual maturity, we must first acknowledge that it is not a destination, but a process. It's an ongoing transformation that takes place within us as we seek to know God more deeply and live according to His Word. It's about growing in our understanding of God's character, His love, and His purposes for our lives. It's about becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

The Pharisee: In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus provides a clear contrast between two different approaches to spirituality. The Pharisee, confident in his own righteousness, prays with a sense of self-satisfaction and superiority. He is quick to point out his religious activities - his fasting, his tithing - as evidence of his spiritual status. But in doing so, he misses the point entirely. His focus is on outward actions rather than inward transformation.

The tax collector: On the other hand, the tax collector, aware of his own shortcomings, approaches God with humility and repentance. He recognizes his need for God's mercy and grace. His prayer is not about what he has done, but about what he needs from God. This is a picture of true spiritual maturity - an awareness of our own sinfulness and a reliance on God's grace.

The Pharisee's approach to spirituality: His prayer is filled with self-righteousness and pride. He sees himself as better than others, and he uses his religious activities as a measure of his spiritual worth. But this is a misguided understanding of what it means to be spiritually mature. Spiritual maturity is not about comparing ourselves to others or measuring our worth by our religious activities. It's about recognizing our need for God's grace and seeking to live in a way that reflects His love and character.

The tax collector provides a model of spiritual maturity: He approaches God with humility and repentance. He recognizes his own sinfulness and his need for God's mercy. He doesn't try to justify himself or compare himself to others. Instead, he simply acknowledges his need for God's grace. This is a picture of true spiritual maturity - an awareness of our own shortcomings and a reliance on God's grace.

The Pharisee's focus: His focus was on outward actions rather than inward transformation is a common mistake. It's easy to get caught up in religious rituals and activities, to focus on what we're doing rather than on who we're becoming. But spiritual maturity is about more than just doing the right things. It's about becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.

Spiritual maturity is a process, not a destination: It's not something we achieve once and for all, but something we continually strive for. It's about growing in our understanding of God's character, His love, and His purposes for our lives. It's about becoming more like Christ in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. And it's about relying on God's grace, not our own efforts, to bring about this transformation in us.

Discerning True Spiritual Growth

This contrast provides a clear picture of what spiritual growth is not ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO